Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone NP taking action to remove non-native Brook Trout

Posted: Sep 26, 2012 9:56 AM by Adam Bell - MTN News
Updated: Sep 26, 2012 8:02 AM

WEST YELLOWSTONE- Yellowstone National Park moving forward with new steps to help revive the native cutthroat trout population.

Re-establishing the cut throat trout population in Yellowstone National Park is one of the park's top priorities. And now the park is stepping up their efforts with chemicals.

The streams were stocked with non-native Brook Trout decades ago, but their presence brought a decline in the native Cutthroat Trout in the park's lakes, rivers and streams.

Biologists will introduce a fish toxin known as Rotenone into the streams this week to remove the Brook Trout.

While the chemical will be introduced in small quantities, the park advises visitors not to swim in or drink from the streams through October 7. Warning signs will be posted at all treated areas.

This year's treatment is the first in a series that will be conducted until the Brook Trout have been completely removed from the streams. The park will then re-introduce genetically pure native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout to the streams.

The long-term plan is not only to support native species restoration, but also for these streams to provide a brood stock population of Cutthroat for future restoration efforts.

The Rotenone chemical will be introduced to the Elk Creek and its tributaries, near Tower Junction. Park Officials say this project will not impact the nearby Yellowstone River.